West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

This is an incredible true story of two giraffes who made national and international headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. This story is retold through the experiences of Woodrow Wilson Nickel and is set in 1938 as the Great Depression takes hold in America. Hitler is threatening Europe and the American people need some good news. Dust Bowl Woody narrates the twelve-day road trip driving a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones. Readers learn about the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man who coos to giraffes, and Red, a young female photographer.